Hardwick's post-match media conference / 'Our leaders set the tone': Dimma

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Dimma's post-match presser:

VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2018-02-24/hardwick-our-leaders-set-the-tone

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Richmond lost ruckman Toby Nankervis to concussion early on Saturday after his head hit the turf at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval, with defender David Astbury also suffering a head knock.

Hardwick said the club wasn't prepared to push the premiership duo with 11 days to prepare for the next JLT Community Series clash against North Melbourne.

The coach was most pleased with the Tigers' defensive effort and ability to re-establish their high-pressure brand at the first opportunity, out-tackling the Bombers 47-41 and winning the contested ball 127-115. 

"We play as the hunter and I think we saw that today," the coach said.   

"We spoke to our players about re-establishing the way we play early, and it probably wasn't quite to the level in the first quarter.

"But once the boys got up and going it becomes infectious and we started to show when we play that way we're really hard to handle."

Hardwick said the Tigers would field another strong line-up against the Kangaroos, while including some young players, potentially father-son pick Patrick Naish.

The coach said the plan had always been to restrict Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin and captain Trent Cotchin to three quarters, and defender Bachar Houli to a half. 

Source: AFL website

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Bring the heat if you want to play for Richmond says Hardwick

Peter Ryan
The Age
February 25 2018


Any Richmond player wanting to force their way into the Tigers' line-up will need to display the manic pressure that has become the defending premiers' trademark.

With Nathan Broad's spot up for grabs and Daniel Rioli unlikely to be available in round one, Tigers' coach Damien Hardwick reinforced the message that certain criteria needed to be on show for a player to earn selection after the Tigers' thumping win over Essendon.

He said second year Tiger Shai Bolton was aware what he needed to do to have first crack at Rioli's spot.

"Our boys know if they want a game in our side they have to chase and tackle," Hardwick said.

"Shai Bolton is an incredibly talented player but he has to chase and tackle if he wants to play in our forwardline. Daniel Rioli is going to [have a] little bit of a slow start so we're looking to fill that role.

"For those players to get that position, they have to play a certain way."

Hardwick described that certain way as bringing the heat and said Bolton had played his best game for the club in his short career when his performance was assessed on that criteria.

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/richmond-tigers/bring-the-heat-if-you-want-to-play-for-richmond-says-hardwick-20180224-p4z1m1.html

[mat073]

Dimma looked like a rock star yesterday from the boundary line sporting his Ray bans .  Superstar coach .